Midland Police Chief Price Robinson talks about the yearly crime statistics from the past few years during a town hall meeting Monday evening, 1-19-15, at the MLK Community Center. Tim Fischer\Reporter-Telegram

Midland Police Chief Price Robinson talks about the yearly crime statistics from the past few years during a town hall meeting Monday evening, 1-19-15, at the MLK Community Center. Tim Fischer\Reporter-Telegram

Midland Police Chief Price Robinson said there is little evidence to indicate that this year’s slowdown in the economy will impact crime.

Heis also generally optimistic about reversing two years of increasing crime numbers in 2015.

Midland police on Friday reported increases in all categories of “Part 1” crimes, generally those involving violent and property. It was only the third increase since 2003.

“I just don’t think that you can sit back and say just because the economy is good, crime will go down,” Price said Friday. “We don’t look at it that way; we keep our foot on the gas pedal all the time and try to be proactive.”

Total Part 1 crimes, or crimes against persons, were up 3.7 percent, with forcible rape up 64 percent from 22 incidents in 2013 to 36 in 201, according to a press release from the city. Aggravated assault and auto theft were also up by 15 and 18 percent, respectively, year-over-year. Crime rate also increased in murder and manslaughter by negligence (40 percent), robbery (3 percent), burglary (5 percent) and theft (less than 1 percent).

Crime in the Tall City dropped in eight of the previous 11 years, according to the police department. MPD also reports a 19.2 percent decrease in overall crime since 2003.

“There’s all sorts of theories about when the economy slows down, when people are out of work, they turn to crime,” Robinson said. “It’s been down eight of the last 11 years, and the economy has gone up and down during that span of time.”

Year-over-year increases in Part 1 crime have occurred in 2009, 2013, and 2014, but the city reports 2014’s Part 1 crime total of 3,673 instances is well below 2003’s reported 4,547.

In 2014, the police force had 18 vacancies of its budgeted 192 positions, which according to Robinson is a significant amount. With an estimated population of 130,000, MPD maintained a ratio of 1.45 police officers for every 1,000 residents. Ideally Robinson would like to see funding for 1.8 officers per 1,000.